Two goals in each half help Reds to an eighth straight victory and top of the league

3/30/2014 11:37:41 AM

3rd & 7 37yd

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Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's Premier League double header between London and Merseyside.

Coming up later today, we'll be at Anfield to see whether Liverpool can take advantage of Manchester City stumbling and Chelsea falling flat on their face yesterday. A win for Brendan Rodgers' team will take the Reds top of the Premier League, but they have to get past a Tottenham team that haven't given up hope of chasing down rivals Arsenal for fourth spot. It's a big ask, as is winning this afternoon, but we've seen some big asks answered emphatically already this weekend.

Another big ask is Fulham staying in the Premier League beyond May, and if that's to be responded to with anything other than a mumble then the West Londoners surely need three points this afternoon. Unfortunately, they find themselves up against one of the division's in-form clubs in Everton; the Toffees have won the last four in the league and, like Tottenham, still harbour dreams of Champions League football at Goodison Park next season.

Stay with us throughout the day for all the up-to-the-minute news and scores, and if you want to have your say on any of the afternoon's talking points, then tweet @sammydymond or email sam.dymond@gmail.com.

3/30/2014 11:36:52 AM

There was a time when Fulham beating Everton in the Premier League at Craven Cottage was as clear-cut as...well...Everton beating Fulham in the Premier League at Goodison Park. Much like Greece and Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest, the pair annually exchanged points with the kind of political diplomacy not befitting the competition they contested; After Fulham's promotion in 2001, the Cottagers won the first seven meetings in West London, Everton have won all 13 on Merseyside.

One of those Fulham victories came during their great escape season of 2008 when the Toffees, then in fifth, travelled to the capital with the hosts rooted in the bottom three. A 1-0 win, courtesy of Brian McBride's header, set them off on a run that saw them win four of their last five games to stay up against the odds.

The Whites will need something similar in 2014, but whether Magath, Bent, Holtby and Sidwell can conjure the spirit of Hodgson, McBride, Murphy and Bullard remains to be seen - perhaps as early as this afternoon.

3/30/2014 11:36:59 AM

Here's how Fulham and Everton line-up at Craven Cottage for their lunchtime fixture. Fulham make three changes to the side that were swept away at Manchester City with Pajtm Kasami and Lewis Holtby replacing Alex Kacaniklic and the suspended Fernando Amorebieta while up front Felix Magath has gone from banking on the youthfulness of young Cauley Woodrow to banking on the youthfulness of young Moussa Dembele; the 17-year-old French striker makes his first start for the Cottagers. Meanwhile, Everton are unchanged after they eased past Newcastle at St James' Park on Tuesday night.

Fulham 0 Everton 0: Fulham get the game underway on a crisp March afternoon by the Thames, and Everton are soon in the ascendency. Romelu Lukaku has an early sight of goal, but his effort is blocked behind by former Toffee Johnny Heitinga. The Dutch defender is sporting a face mask to protect a broken nose, allegedly produced by a 3D printer. Technology, hey?! I can't even get the colour cartridge to work on mine.

3/30/2014 12:34:53 PM

Fulham 0 Everton 0: It's the visitors who have dominated possession in the opening ten minutes, but Fulham have threatened to threaten on the counter attack if you will. Bursting runs down the left flank by Kieran Richardson and William Kvist have resulted in testing crosses into the box that have been adequately dealt with by the Everton defence. From a subsequent corner, Brede Hangeland loops a header back towards the far post where Pajtim Kasami, under very close shirt-pulling attention from Ross Barkley, is unable to turn the ball in.

3/30/2014 12:44:53 PM

Hope for the Cottagers? Pajtim Kasami has won all 100% of his one tackle...

Fulham 0 Everton 0: There's a first clear sight of goal for young Moussa Dembele, taking down Richardson's lofted through ball with a classy first touch, but he's unable to get any power behind his shot straight at Tim Howard. Nevertheless, the French striker had been incorrectly called offside by the linesman.

Moments later, Dembele returns the favour by playing in Richardson with a clever pass, but the left winger's effort is blocked by the Everton goalkeeper's feet; it's a save mirrored almost immediately by David Stockdale at the other end, as he denies Gerard Deulofeu. This game has burst into action at both ends.

3/30/2014 12:55:01 PM

Fulham 0 Everton 0: Another impressive Fulham move, again predominantly down the left wing, ends with Howard tipping Lewis Holtby's effort over the crossbar. Steve Sidwell, Kasami and Riise all combined before the Norwegian sent over a cross towards the on-loan Tottenham midfielder, who did well to peel away from his marker and send a looping header towards the top corner that the Everton goalkeeper had to react sprightly to.

3/30/2014 1:00:34 PM

Roberto Martinez even makes the most mundane managerial touchline task of returning the ball to his full-back look classy.

by Sam Dymond

3/30/2014 1:07:24 PM

Fulham 0 Everton 0: Further glimpses of goal for the home side, but shots on goal from Kasami and Holtby when they have cut into the penalty area from the right-hand side have been brilliantly blocked by some resolute Everton defending.

It's the team on the brink of relegation that have had the better of the first half so far, but the side on the brink of Europe remain a constant threat whenever they attack the Hammersmith End.

3/30/2014 1:12:40 PM

Fulham 0 Everton 0: Kieran Richardson's pace has been a constant thorn in Everton's side - his flailing arms have also been a pain for Deulofeu - and he again escapes down the left. Holding the ball up, he lays it back towards Dembele on the edge of the penalty area, but the striker's side-footed shot is too high to trouble Howard with what is likely to be the last chance of the half.

3/30/2014 1:16:24 PM

Fulham 0 Everton 0: Ooof! It wasn't the last chance of the half because the Fulham debutant has just missed a great opportunity to score on the stroke of half-time. Lewis Holtby curled a wonderful inch-perfect ball over the Everton defence to Dembele, but the Frenchman planted his downward header straight at a grateful Tim Howard on his goal-line. It would have been a deserved end to a very good first half from Fulham and the 17-year-old.

3/30/2014 1:16:38 PM

Half-time - Fulham 0 Everton 0:

3/30/2014 1:16:48 PM

How good is Moussa Dembele? This good.

by Sam Dymond

3/30/2014 1:28:33 PM

Fulham 0 Everton 0: Everton make one change at the start of the second half with Steven Naismith replacing Ross Barkley, who is suffering with a calf problem, meaning we'll need to look around for somebody else pin England's World Cup hopes upon.

Fulham will hope to build on an encouraging first half, but that's been a problem of late. The Whites have made a habit of getting to half-time, in tact and on top, before crumbling in the latter stages.

3/30/2014 1:34:57 PM

GOAL! Fulham 0 Everton 1: And, perhaps, the crumble has started already! Deulofeu won a corner in a battle with Riise, but it looked like Fulham had cleared their lines when Richardson headed away Leighton Baines' cross from the right. However, the clearance fell straight to substitute Naismith on the edge of the box and, when his powerful strike took a deflection inside a crowded area, Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale could only turn the loose ball into the net with his feet for an own-goal.

This man takes credit for a goal he didn't score.

3/30/2014 1:36:50 PM

It's certainly inevitable if they've started booting it into their own net...

Fulham 0 Everton 1: It could've, should've and would've been a second Everton goal had Baines played a square ball to the unmarked Lukaku moments ago, but the attacking full-back found himself caught in two minds as he was sent one-on-one with Stockdale and hit his cross-cum-shot just wide of the far post.

3/30/2014 1:47:52 PM

Fulham 0 Everton 1: Fulham have made a double substitution as they desperately try to find a route back into this game. Off has come their biggest threat of the first half, Kieran Richardson, and the pivotal William Kvist with Ashkan Dejagah and 19-year-old Cauley Woodrow taking their places.

The switch brings an immediate corner for the home side but Hangeland was unable to fully connect with a goalbound header.

3/30/2014 1:54:49 PM

GOAL! Fulham 1 Everton 1: In their last home game, Ashkan Dejagah came off the bench to cut inside from the left wing and net an important goal for Fulham and he's done it once again! The substitute received Steve Sidwell's pass and ran at the Everton defence before launching a thumping right-footed drive past Howard from the edge of the penalty area. It could be a big moment in Fulham's season!

He's got the moves like Dejagah.

3/30/2014 1:56:59 PM

Fulham 1 Everton 1: The momentum has swung back Fulham's way again and Tim Howard has kept the visitors on level terms with a couple of fine save. The American custodian first denied Heitinga's far post header from Holtby's free-kick before keeping out Sidwell's shot after Dejagah had managed to work a cross into the area. It's set-up for a thrilling final 15 minutes.

3/30/2014 2:04:22 PM

GOAL! Fulham 1 Everton 2: Everton regain the lead with an excellent counter attack! One substitute, Aiden McGeady, was afforded plenty of time in midfield and he dissected the Fulham defence with a fine through ball to another substitute, Kevin Mirallas. The Belgian took one touch to steady himself before showing great composure to side foot past Stockdale into the bottom left-hand corner.

Kevin Mirallas restores Everton's lead.

3/30/2014 2:05:08 PM

GOAL! Fulham 1 Everton 3: There's no debate as to whether this was Steven Naismith's goal or not, and it's surely the strike that takes Everton that bit closer to fourth spot - and consigns Fulham to the Championship. Kevin Mirallas and Leighton Baines caused the home side all kinds of problems in the box as they kept the ball alive, and when the left-back poked it across to the unmarked Naismith, the substitute had no problem in sweeping the ball past Stockdale to make it 3-1.

This man takes credit for a goal he did score.

3/30/2014 2:13:07 PM

Fulham 1 Everton 3: Not content with three goals and three points, Everton are pouring forward in injury time in search of more. The body language of both sets of players sums up the situation they each find themselves in; the buoyant Toffees are gunning for the Gunners in fourth spot, Fulham are desperately sinking towards a reunion with Brentford in the second tier.

3/30/2014 2:21:51 PM

FULL TIME - Fulham 1 Everton 3:

3/30/2014 2:22:01 PM

Both Liverpool and Tottenham make one change to the sides that last took to a Premier League pitch. Brendan Rodgers brings in Raheem Sterling for Joe Allen as he looks to build on the midweek home win against Sunderland while Tim Sherwood hands a start to last Sunday's match-winner, Gylfi Sigurdsson; the Icelandic international starts in place of Mousa Dembele.

When Brendan Rodgers took Liverpool to Tottenham back in December without Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge, not many outside of Anfield expected much. One sensationally impressive, dominant 5-0 win later and the Reds were in second place, Andre Villas-Boas was out of the Spurs' exit door and everyone was contemplating whether this was finally the year for this famous old club to win a first English championship since 1990.

They've barely looked back since.

Another victory against Tottenham today, and the Reds will top the table with just weeks of the season remaining. Seven straight wins would certainly suggest form is on their side, but it has been the manner of those performances that has won over even the most staunch Liverpool dissenter.

In their way are Tim Sherwood's Spurs who, are not only only out for revenge for that televised embarrassment earlier this campaign, but also need a positive result if they are to at least keep up the pretence of chasing Champions League football throughout April and May. It should be a cracker and it kicks-off at four o'clock.

3/30/2014 2:50:11 PM

Liverpool 0 Tottenham 0: You'll Never Walk Alone blares out from the Kop as Tottenham get the game underway. It's been a long time since there's been such an emphatic atmosphere inside Anfield for a league game; if they keep up the way they've been going then perhaps those Famous European Evenings will be replaced by those Famous English Afternoons.

3/30/2014 3:03:09 PM

GOAL! Liverpool 1 Tottenham 0: Here we go again! One minute 38 seconds on the clock and Liverpool are in the lead! Philippe Coutinho lofted a ball over to Raheem Sterling on the right wing, and as soon as he fed the overlapping Glen Johnson into the penalty area, Tottenham were in trouble. The right-back drilled a low ball across the six-yard box which evaded Jan Vertonghen and cannoned off the feet of Younes Kaboul for an own goal. Brendan Rodgers raises two arms in celebration, Tim Sherwood shakes his head in despair.

Liverpool's latest fast start, courtesy of Tottenham Hotspur.

3/30/2014 3:03:17 PM

Liverpool 1 Tottenham 0: The hosts have shown no signs of slowing down after their early goal, and have been close to getting in behind the Tottenham backline twice since. Most recently, Luis Suarez tried to wriggle free of Vertonghen's attentions in the 18-yard box, but the Belgian recovered to clear the danger - for now.

3/30/2014 3:10:06 PM

Liverpool 1 Tottenham 0: If Daniel Sturridge was a couple of inches taller - or sported a thicker haircut - then Liverpool would be two goals to the good right now. Luis Suarez left Younes Kaboul in his wake as he raced down the wing, but his whipped cross glanced off the his strike partner's head with Hugo Lloris rooted to his spot.

3/30/2014 3:13:36 PM

GOAL! Liverpool 2 Tottenham 0: It was only a matter of time before Liverpool doubled their lead, and there are no prizes for guessing who's scored it - except maybe a Premier League winner's medal if you're the manager who picked him. The visitors had just been forced into making a change with Michael Dawson replacing the injured Jan Vertonghen, and perhaps their defence hadn't quite adjusted to the switch when Luis Suarez latched on to a loose pass from the substitute and escaped from his centre-back partner Younes Kaboul midway inside the Tottenham half. The Uruguayan still had much to do as he burst into the left-hand side of the box, and his low left-footed drive was just right, curling away from Hugo Lloris' hand and into the bottom right-hand corner.

Imagine how many he'd have if he hadn't been suspended for six games for last season's mental antics.

3/30/2014 3:35:08 PM

Liverpool 2 Tottenham 0: Tottenham have just enjoyed a prolonged period of possession which, while ultimately coming to nothing, was handy in reminding us who's playing further forward for Tim Sherwood's team. Aaron Lennon, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Christian Eriksen were all involved before Nabil Bentaleb fired a long range shot straight at Simon Mignolet.

Five minutes to half-time at Anfield and Liverpool are thoroughly on top - just as they will be at six o'clock tonight.

3/30/2014 3:40:18 PM

Liverpool 2 Tottenham 0: All the talk has been of Liverpool winding back the years, but they've just had a taste of the previous two seasons by clattering the woodwork when it looked easier to score. Luis Suarez put all his might behind a header from Raheem Sterling's cross, but Lloris managed to get a flailing finger tip to take it on to the bar before Bentaleb thumped it away. The chance yet again presented itself after some dilly-dallying in the Tottenham defence.

Hugo Lloris tips Luis Suarez's header onto the crossbar.

3/30/2014 3:45:52 PM

Half-time - Liverpool 2 Tottenham 0:

3/30/2014 3:47:28 PM

Liverpool 2 Tottenham 0: Liverpool have begun the second half with their usual attacking intent, and Philippe Coutinho tricks Gylfi Sigurdsson into a booking within 30 seconds of the restart. The Icelandic midfielder held the Brazilian back as he evaded him and tried feed a through ball for Jordan Henderson, forcing Phil Dowd to call back play and issue a yellow card.

3/30/2014 4:08:30 PM

Liverpool 2 Tottenham 0: Raheem Sterling has recently said that he has matured both as a player and a man. While I can't comment on his off-the-field antics, the Liverpool youngster has yet again proved that he speaks the truth with regards to his performances on the pitch. After playing a neat one-two with Daniel Sturridge, Sterling showed great awareness to pick out the unmarked Henderson as he burst into the box. Unfortunately, the Liverpool midfielder ruined Sterling's good work by skying high into the Kop.

3/30/2014 4:14:27 PM

GOAL! Liverpool 3 Tottenham 0: Liverpool will be top of the Premier League table tonight! Philippe Coutinho has just put a game, already dozing on the sofa, completely to bed. The Brazilian playmaker took control of the ball in midfield and, when no Tottenham player moved to close him down, advanced towards goal before firing low past Hugo Lloris from 25 yards, into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. Vintage Liverpool.

Liverpool 3 Tottenham 0: The game's over at 3-0, and yet they are still giving it some of that! Of course, by 'they', I mean Tottenham, and by 'that', I mean sloppy error-strewn defending. This time Danny Rose makes a meal of a simple backpass towards Hugo Lloris that lets Daniel Sturridge in, but the French goalkeeper manages to turn away the Liverpool's striker audacious back-heel.

3/30/2014 4:28:13 PM

GOAL! Liverpool 4 Tottenham 0: We're Gonna Win The League is the latest chant to ring out from the Kop, in celebration of a fourth Liverpool goal. After Andros Townsend had bundled over Suarez on the left wing, Jordan Henderson whipped in a right-footed free-kick with so much pace and power that it evaded everybody and nestled into the far corner of Hugo Lloris' net. Suarez was the nearest player to getting a final touch on the ball, but the Uruguayan is quick to point to the midfielder in recognition of the goalscorer. It's another rout for Tottenham Hotspur at the hands of Liverpool.

Jordan Henderson celebrates scoring Liverpool's fourth goal.

3/30/2014 4:33:09 PM

Liverpool 4 Tottenham 0: The game enters injury time with Roberto Soldado stretchered off following a robust Martin Skrtel challenge, but hopefully that's just a precautionary measure. It's a sad end to another sorry day for Tottenham Hotspur, but they're not the first victim of this Liverpool side, and they won't be the last. Brendan Rodgers' team have been full of energy from the first minute and will take their deserved place at the top of the Premier League tonight. Manchester City, it's over to you.

3/30/2014 4:51:18 PM

FULL TIME - Liverpool 4 Tottenham 0:

3/30/2014 4:52:05 PM

It was acceptable in the 80’s, it was acceptable at the time! If Calvin Harris was talking about Merseyside football, he may just be resampling his 2007 hit this summer. And that’s because, today, both Everton and Liverpool rolled back the years to the decade that saw them claim nine titles between them, demonstrating that their resurgent burst towards the top of the English game is in no danger of slowing down.

Earlier today, the Toffees were too good for bottom-of-the-table Fulham, despite being under pressure for long periods. Yet when the going got tough, Roberto Martinez made two key switches and goals from substitutes Kevin Mirallas and Steven Naismith ensured a fourth straight victory and closed the gap on fourth-placed Arsenal to four points with a game in hand. With the Gunners still to visit Goodison Park, don’t rule out Champions League football taking place on either side of Stanley Park next season.

If successful, they’ll join Liverpool in Europe’s elite tournament, but whether the Reds will contest continental competition as bona fide champions is now in their own hands after they dispatched Tottenham 4-0 this afternoon. Manchester City still have the games in hand, but with Manuel Pellegrini’s team yet to travel to Anfield, it’s now Liverpool’s to lose; win the last six games and win a first league title since 1990.

Their latest victory brings the curtain down on another thrilling weekend in the Premier League. We’ll be back next weekend to take up the story that will begin with Manchester City against Southampton and end with Liverpool at West Ham with eight thrilling chapters in between. Until then, many thanks for being with us, and for all your contributions. Goodnight.